I don't believe your character is "pre-golden age." Considering how the vehicle husks are all seeming to be lined up as if in evacuation mode, it may have been during the collapse that you died. The awoken may have come about from explorers, who journeyed to the edge of the Galaxy. Transformed by the darkness, and possibly the first ones who were made aware of its existence, the ones loyal to earth would've been sent back to help defend humanity. And died while doing so. So, it is entirely possible to be an awoken guardian.